Computer system and control method thereof

ABSTRACT

A computer system including a display unit to display a display area of the computer system, a wireless communications module to interface with at least one external device, a pointing processing unit to move a pointer indicated on the display unit in correspondence to a first radio signal input through the wireless communications module, and a controller which controls the wireless communications module to output a second radio signal, which corresponds to the first radio signal, to the external device when the pointer points to a changeover area of the display area of the display unit for a predetermined time.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims all the benefits accruing under 35 U.S.C. §119from Korean Patent Application No. 2005-116832, filed on Dec. 2, 2005 inthe Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

An aspect of the present invention relates to a computer system, and,more particularly, to a computer system which controls a plurality ofcomponents with a single external input device without repeatedlyperforming separation, recognition and installation of the externalinput device, and a control method thereof.

2. Description of the Related Art

Recently, as the technology of electronic devices has developed and userdemands have diversified, a communication system, in whichinterconnected electronic devices having different functions, has beenbuilt. In such a communication system, various functions are implementedthrough data transmission and reception between the electronic devices.

Meanwhile, technologies, including a radio device or a similar low costand low power link, have been developed in radio communications andcomputer industries. Such technologies, when applied to radiocommunications, provide a basis on which communications between devicesmay be based. Further, such technologies allow for a gradual emphasis oncompactness and portability of office devices and on the removal ofcomplicated connecting cables between office devices. For example,“Bluetooth” has been defined as a professional code by Ericsson AB andprovides many of these advantages.

In a computer system supporting the Bluetooth communications, a HumanInterface Device (HID) which is an external input device, such as amouse and a keyboard, is used along with a computer in a one-to-onerelationship. Referring to FIG. 1, a computer system 5A that supportsthe conventional Bluetooth communications will be described. A HumanInterface Device (HID) 5 is placed near a computer 1 that a user desiresto use. The Human Interface Device (HID) 5 is searched for in thecomputer 1 and the searched Human Interface Device (HID) 5 is selectedin the computer 1. Then, an authentication process is performed by theuse of a Personal Identity Number (PIN) code between the computer 1 andthe Human Interface Device (HID) 5. Here, it is understood thatconnection interfaces 1 a, 1 b, 1 c, and 1 d between each of thecomputers 1, 2, 3, and 4 and the Human Interface Device (HID) 5 conformto Bluetooth communications.

Through the Bluetooth connection interface 1 a that connects thecomputer 1 and the Human Interface Device (HID) 5 after a performance ofa recognition/installation process, the computer 1 performs operationsaccording to a radio signal that is input from the Human InterfaceDevice (HID) 5. Here, in order to make communications between thecomputer 1 and the Human Interface Device (HID) 5 possible through theBluetooth communications 1 a, it is assumed that a Human InterfaceDevice (HID) profile is included in Bluetooth modules (not shown)respectively provided in both the computer 1 and the Human InterfaceDevice (HID) 5.

Here, where the user desires to control one of the other computers 2, 3or 4 using the Human Interface Device (HID) 5, the computer 1 must beseparated from the Human Interface Device (HID) 5. Then, in order toconnect the Human Interface Device (HID) 5 to the one of the othercomputers 2, 3 or 4, the above-described search, selection, andauthentication processes have to be performed again, this time betweenthe Human Interface Device (HID) 5 and the one of the other computers 2,3 or 4.

In the typical computer system, as described in connection with FIG. 1,the Human Interface Device (HID) 5 can be used with a plurality ofcomputers 1, 2, 3, and 4. However, each time the Human Interface Device(HID) is connected to one of the computers, the above-described search,selection and authentication processes have to be repeated. That is, inorder to change the connection of the Human Interface Device (HID) 5from the computer in use to any of the other computers, the HumanInterface Device (HID) 5 should be separated from the computer in useand then the above-described search, selection, and authenticationprocesses have to be performed again between the Human Interface Device(HID) 5 and the one of the other computers 2, 3, and 4 to be used.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To solve the above and/or other problems, an aspect of the presentinvention provides a computer system and a control method thereof, whichcontrols a plurality of devices with one external input device withoutthe need to repetitively perform the processes of separating,recognizing, and installing the external input device.

The foregoing and/or other aspects of the present invention are achievedby providing a computer system including a display unit to display adisplay area of the computer system, a wireless communications module tointerface with at least one external device, a pointing processing unitto move a pointer indicated on the display unit in correspondence to afirst radio signal input through the wireless communications module, anda controller which controls the wireless communications module to outputa second radio signal, which corresponds to the first radio signal, tothe external device when the pointer points to a changeover area of thedisplay area of the display unit for a predetermined time.

According to an example embodiment of the present invention, the displayunit, the wireless communications module, the pointing processing unitand the controller are provided in a computer, and further comprising anexternal input device outputting the first radio signal according to aninput of a user to the computer.

According to an example embodiment of the present invention, thecontroller grasps a display position of the pointer based on the processwhere the pointing processing unit moves the pointer.

According to an example embodiment of the present invention, thecontroller sets up at least one changeover area in the overallindication area of the display unit, and presets external deviceinformation on an external device corresponding to each changeover area.

According to an example embodiment of the present invention, thewireless communications module comprises a Bluetooth module having aHuman Interface Device (HID) profile.

According to an example embodiment of the present invention, thecontroller controls the wireless communications module in order toconvert data of the first radio signal into the second radio signalcorresponding to the changeover area and being processed in the externaldevice, and output the converted result to the external device, in thecase that the pointer corresponding to the first radio signal isindicated on one changeover area over a predetermined time.

According to an example embodiment of the present invention, thewireless communications module converts data of the first radio signalto be processed in the external device corresponding to the changeoverarea using a Human Interface Device (HID) profile.

According to an example embodiment of the present invention, thecomputer system further comprises a first external device and at leastone second external device, which interface with the computer throughthe wireless communications module, respectively, and wherein eachexternal device comprises a display unit.

According to an example embodiment of the present invention, thecontroller presets a first changeover area corresponding to the firstexternal device and a second changeover area corresponding to at leastone second external device in the overall indication area of the displayunit.

According to an example embodiment of the present invention, the firstexternal device and the at least one second external device makes thepointer indicated on the display unit move according to the second radiosignal in the case that the second radio signal is input by theinterface through the wireless communications module from the computer,and provides the preset external device information corresponding to thechangeover area in the case that the pointer is indicated on apredetermined changeover area of the display unit over a predeterminedtime.

According to an example embodiment of the present invention, thecontroller controls the wireless communications module in order toconvert data of the first radio signal into the second radio signalwhich can be processed in the external device corresponding to theexternal device information and output the converted result, in the casethat the external device information is input from one external deviceduring outputting the second radio signal through the wirelesscommunications module to any one of the first external device and the atleast one second external device.

According to an example embodiment of the present invention, thecontroller determines whether or not the external device informationinput from any one external device of the first external device and theat least one second external device is information on the computer, andwhen the external device information is the information on the computer,controls the wireless communications module and the pointing processingunit in order to make the pointer indicated on the display unit of acomputer move in correspondence to the first radio signal input throughthe wireless communications module.

The foregoing and/or other aspects of the present invention are alsoachieved by providing a control method of a computer system including acomputer having an external input device and a wireless communicationsmodule to interface with at least one external device and the externalinput device, the control method comprising: causing the external inputdevice to output a first radio signal; causing a pointer indicated on adisplay area of a display of the computer move in correspondence to thefirst radio signal; determining whether the pointer points to achangeover area, corresponding to the external device, on the displayarea for a predetermined time; and where the pointer points to thechangeover area for the predetermined time, causing the computer tooutput a second radio signal corresponding to the first radio signal tothe external device.

According to an example embodiment of the present invention, the controlmethod further comprises the step of setting up at least one changeoverarea in the overall indication area to be displayed on the computer, andpresetting the external device information on the external devicecorresponding to each changeover area.

According to an example embodiment of the present invention, the step ofoutputting the second radio signal corresponding to the first radiosignal comprises the sub-steps of: converting data of the first radiosignal into the second radio signal which can be processed in the presetexternal device in correspondence to the changeover area, in the casethat the pointer indicated according to the first radio signal isindicated on one changeover area over a predetermined time; andoutputting the converted result to the external device connected throughthe wireless communications module, in correspondence to the changeoverarea.

According to an example embodiment of the present invention, the controlmethod further comprises a first external device and at least one secondexternal device which are interfaced with the computer through thewireless communications module, and wherein each external devicecomprises a display unit.

According to an example embodiment of the present invention, the step ofmaking the computer preset the external device information comprises afirst changeover area corresponding to the first external device and asecond changeover area corresponding to at least one second externaldevice in the overall indication area to be displayed.

According to an example embodiment of the present invention, the firstexternal device and the at least one second external device furtherperform the steps of: determining whether or not the second radio signalis input by the interface through the wireless communications modulefrom the computer; making the pointer indicated on the display unit moveaccording to the second radio signal in the case that it is determinedthat the second radio signal has been input to a corresponding externaldevice; and providing the preset external device informationcorresponding to the changeover area to the computer, in the case thatthe pointer is indicated on the predetermined changeover area of thedisplay unit over the predetermined time.

According to an example embodiment of the present invention, thecomputer performs the steps of determining whether or not the externaldevice information is input during outputting the second radio signal toany one external device of the first external device and the at leastone second external device through the wireless communications module;and converting data of the first radio signal into the second radiosignal which can be processed in the external device corresponding tothe external device information, in the case that the external deviceinformation is input.

According to an example embodiment of the present invention, thecomputer performs the step of making the pointer indicated on thecomputer move and displayed, in correspondence to the first radio signalinput through the wireless communications module in the case that theinput external device information is information on the computer.

In addition to the example embodiments and aspects as described above,further aspects and embodiments will be apparent by reference to thedrawings and by study of the following descriptions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A better understanding of the present invention will become apparentfrom the following detailed description of example embodiments and theclaims when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, allforming a part of the disclosure of this invention. While the followingwritten and illustrated disclosure focuses on disclosing exampleembodiments of the invention, it should be clearly understood that thesame is by way of illustration and example only and that the inventionis not limited thereto. The spirit and scope of the present inventionare limited only by the terms of the appended claims. The followingrepresents brief descriptions of the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a typical computer system that employs Bluetoothcommunications;

FIG. 2 illustrates a computer system that employs Bluetoothcommunications according to an example embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a computer system according to an exampleembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates respective conversion areas which are preset on ascreen of a display unit;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining that respective components in thecomputer system according to an example embodiment of the presentinvention are connected through Bluetooth communications; and

FIGS. 6 and 7 are control flowcharts for explaining an operation of acomputer system according to an example embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the present embodiments of thepresent invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the like elementsthroughout. The embodiments are described below in order to explain thepresent invention by referring to the figures.

Herein below, a computer system and a control method thereof accordingto example embodiments of the present invention will be described withreference to FIGS. 2 through 7, respectively.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an external appearance of a computer systemaccording to aspects of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, thecomputer system 50A includes a Human Interface Device (HID) 50, a maindevice 10 connected with the HID 50 through Bluetooth communication 2 a,and external devices 20, 30 and 40 connected with the main device 10through Bluetooth communications 2 b, 2 c and 2 d, respectively. Forpurposes of discussion, the main device 10 and external devices 20, 30and 40 represent personal computers (PCs) such as laptop or desktopcomputers, so that the main device 10 may be called a main computer 10or a host computer. However, the present invention is not limitedthereto. These devices can be any electronic devices or mobile devices,such as personal digital assistants (PDAs) and mobile phones.

The HID 50 is an external input device supporting the Bluetoothcommunications 2 a, 2 b, 2 c, and 2 d and may be a mouse, a keyboard, atouch pad, etc. The HID 50 is connected to the main computer 10 throughthe Bluetooth communication 2 a after undergoing the conventionalrecognition and installation processes. Also, the HID 50 outputs a firstradio signal to the main computer according to a command of the user. Ofcourse, it is understood that the HID 50 may also be connected toexternal devices 20, 30, and 40 through the conventional recognition andinstallation processes.

The main computer 10 is an electronic device supporting the Bluetoothcommunications and is connected with the HID 50 through the Bluetoothcommunication 2 a. In addition, the main computer 10 is connected to theexternal devices 20, 30, and 40 through Bluetooth communications 2 b, 2c, and 2 d, respectively, after undergoing conventional recognition andinstallation processes.

The main computer 10 performs operations according to radio signals thatare input from the HID 50. When a predetermined changeover event isinput, the main computer 10 outputs a second radio signal to any one ofthe external devices 20, 30, and 40. According to an embodiment of theinvention, the second radio signal corresponds to the first radiosignal. However, it is understood that the invention does not requirethat the first and second radio signal directly correspond to each otherand that other relationships, if any, may exist.

Each of the external devices 20, 30, and 40 is an electronic device thatsupports the Bluetooth communications 2 a, 2 b, 2 c, and 2 d. Further,as noted above, each external device 20, 30, and 40 is connected to themain computer 10 through Bluetooth communications 2 b, 2 c, and 2 d,respectively. The external devices 20, 30, and 40 each may perform anoperation according to the second radio signal input from the maincomputer 10, respectively.

Here, the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 3,which is a block diagram of a computer system shown in FIG. 2.

The HID 50 is an external input device that outputs a first radio signalaccording to an input of a user, and may be a mouse, a keyboard, a touchpad, etc, or a combination thereof. Here, it will be assumed that theHuman Interface Device (HID) 50 is a mouse.

The mouse 50 includes a device-end Bluetooth module 53 having an HIDprofile to output a first radio signal to the main computer 10 connectedthrough the Bluetooth communication 2 a. The mouse 50 further includes amouse controller 55 to control the device-end Bluetooth module 53. Themouse controller 55, therefore, generates signals according to usermanipulations of the mouse 50 and outputs the signals to the maincomputer 10.

The mouse 50 is connected to the main computer 10 through the Bluetoothcommunication 2 a after undergoing the conventional recognition andinstallation processes when the mouse 50 is initially connected to themain computer 10. After the mouse 50 has been connected with the maincomputer 10, the mouse 50 is used to control the main computer 10. Inthat capacity, for example, the mouse 50 may cause a pointer on adisplay of the main computer 10 to move in accordance with usermanipulations of the mouse 50. Similar the mouse 50 may cause thepointer of a display of one of the external devices 20, 30, and 40 tomove in accordance with user manipulations of the mouse 50.

To this end, the main computer 10 includes a display unit 17 having adisplay area, a Bluetooth module 14, which is a wireless communicationsmodule to interface with the mouse 50, and at least one external device20, 30, or 40. A pointing processing unit 19 makes the pointer displayedon the display unit 17 move in correspondence to a first radio signalinput through the Bluetooth module 14. A microcomputer (MICOM) 18controls the Bluetooth module 14 so that a second radio signalcorresponding to the first radio signal is output to a preset externaldevice 20, 30 or 40 which is connected through the Bluetooth module 14in correspondence to a changeover area where a predetermined changeoverevent is input in which a pointer is indicated on a predeterminedchangeover area of the display unit 17 over a predetermined time.

The Bluetooth module 14 includes an HID profile 11 to process the firstradio signal provided from the mouse 50 and to output the processedsignal to the pointing processing unit 19. Alternately, the HID profile11 converts the first radio signal into the second radio signal so as toprovide the second radio signal to the external device. Although notillustrated in FIG. 3, the Bluetooth module 14 may include various kindsof profiles (e.g., a headset profile, to interface with various kinds ofexternal devices, such as a head set connected through the Bluetoothcommunication 2 a).

The Bluetooth module 14 includes a controller 13 to control the HIDprofile 11, which, as noted above, processes the first radio signalunder the control of the MICOM 18 and outputs the processed result tothe pointing processing unit 19. Alternately, the controller 13 convertsthe first radio signal into a second radio signal to be provided to thecorresponding external device. Where an input from the mouse 50 is to beprovided to any one of the external devices 20, 30, and 40, under thecontrol of the MICOM 18, the controller 13 controls the HID profile 11so that the first radio signal is converted into a form which thecorresponding external device is able to recognize and process. Theconverted result is then provided to the corresponding external device.

For example, the controller 13 may control the HID profile 11 tomaintain data information such as pointing information and clickinformation of the first radio signal and, in order to output the secondradio signal, to convert the destination address of the first radiosignal into the address of the first external device 20 in the maincomputer 10. Here, since the main computer 10 and the first externaldevice 20 have been already connected through the Bluetoothcommunication 2 b, the controller 13 is able to control the HumanInterface Device (HID) profile 11 such that the first radio signal isconverted into the second radio signal to be provided for the firstexternal device 20 using the address of the first external device 20that is obtained from the recognition and installation processes thatwere completed the first external device 20 was initially connected withthe main computer 10.

The pointing processing unit 19 causes the pointer displayed on thedisplay unit 17 to move in correspondence to the first radio signalinput through the Bluetooth module 14. The pointing processing unit 19includes a video signal processing unit 16 and an input/outputprocessing unit 15. The video signal processing unit 16 processes aninput video signal. The input/output processing unit 15 processes andoutputs a first signal according to the first radio signal processed atthe Bluetooth module 14 so as to be processed in the video signalprocessing unit 16 and the MICOM 18.

Thus, when the first radio signal output from the mouse 50 is processedat the Bluetooth module 14 and is input to the input/output processingunit 16, the first signal is provided to the MICOM 18 and the videosignal processing unit 16 and the pointer is moved on the screen of thedisplay unit 17. Further, operations, which activate a menu screen orwhich otherwise change the screen, are then performed.

The MICOM 18 performs the conventional recognition and installationprocesses to initially connect the mouse 50 with the main computer 10,and controls the connection between the Bluetooth module 14 and themouse 50, through the Bluetooth communication 2 a. Moreover, the MICOM18 performs the conventional recognition and installation processes toinitially connect external devices 20, 30, and 40 with the main computer10 and controls the connection between the Bluetooth module 14 and theexternal devices 20, 30, and 40 through Bluetooth communications 2 b, 2c, and 2 d, respectively. Here, according to example embodiments of theinvention, the microcomputer (MICOM) 18 memorizes a type of the mouse 50and types of the external devices 20, 30, and 40 as well as theaddresses thereof.

After completing the initial recognition and installation processes, theMICOM 18 controls the Bluetooth module 14 and so controls radiocommunications between the Bluetooth module 14 and the mouse 50 and theexternal devices 20, 30, and 40. That is, the MICOM 18 processes thefirst radio signal input from the mouse 50. Further, the MICOM 18controls the Bluetooth module 14, the input/output processing unit 15and the video signal processing unit 16, to perform pointer movementsand menu displays according to the processed first radio signal. Here,according to the first radio signal, the MICOM 18 may grasp a displayposition of a pointer indicated on the display unit 17. That is, theMICOM 18 obtains the display position information of the pointeraccording to the first radio signal from any one of the input/outputprocessing unit 15 and the video signal processing unit 16.

In the meantime, the MICOM 18 sets up one or more changeover areas onthe overall indication area of the display unit 17, and presets externaldevice information on the external devices 20, 30, and 40 to correspondto each changeover area when connected through the Bluetoothcommunications 2 b, 2 c, and 2 d, respectively. Thus, the MICOM 18determines whether a predetermined changeover event, in which a pointerpoints to a predetermined changeover area of the display unit 17 for apredetermined time, occurs.

Here, referring to FIG. 4, a control of the MICOM 18 will be describedin order to illustrate this changeover event input on a display unit 17.

As shown in FIG. 4, the MICOM 18 presets a first changeover area 4 a, asecond changeover area 4 b and a third changeover area 4 c in theoverall indication area of the display unit 17 to correspond to thefirst, second, and third external devices 20, 30, and 40. Also, underthe control of the MICOM 18, the pointer 17 a is indicated on the screenof the display unit 17 according to the first radio signal. Here, theMICOM 18 determines whether the pointer 17 a is indicated on any one ofthe changeover areas 4 a, 4 b, and 4 c for a predetermined time (e.g.,five seconds).

For example, where the MICOM 18 determines that the pointer 17 a isindicated on the first changeover area 4 a over the predetermined time,the MICOM 18 controls the controller 13 of the Bluetooth module 14 toconvert the first radio signal input from the mouse 50 into the secondradio signal to be provided to the first external device 20. Thus, theBluetooth module 14 converts the first radio signal into the secondradio signal which is recognized and processed in the first externaldevice 20, using the HID profile 11. Here, three changeover areas areset up in FIG. 4. However, this is only an example embodiment, as thechangeover area can be set up in various forms and may be a single area,a dual area, an area with three sub-areas, or an area with more thanthree sub-areas.

Accordingly, where the main computer 10 receives an input correspondingto a changeover event, the main computer 10 converts the first radiosignal input from the mouse 50 through the Bluetooth communications 2 ainto the second radio signal to be provided to the correspondingexternal device. In this way, the main computer 10 performs the samefunction as that of the mouse 50 by outputting the first radio signalinput from the mouse 50 to the corresponding external device.

The first external device 20 is connected with the main computer 10,having undergone the initial recognition and installation processesthrough the Bluetooth communications 2 b. This first external device 20includes a first display unit 27, a Bluetooth module 25, which is awireless communications module that interfaces with an external device,and a first controller 28 to communicate with the external deviceconnected through the first Bluetooth module 25. Of course, the firstBluetooth module 25 includes an HID profile.

The first external device 20 performs operations in which a pointer ismoved, a menu screen is indicated, or a screen is changed over on thescreen of the first display unit 27 according to the second radiosignal, where the second radio signal is input from the main computer 10through the Bluetooth communication 2 b. That is, the first controller28 controls the first Bluetooth module 25 to process the second radiosignal to be used in the first external device 20, when the second radiosignal is input from the main computer 10, and performs a control actionsuch as pointer movement and a menu display according to the secondsignal corresponding to the second radio signal processed at the firstBluetooth module 25. According to an example embodiment of theinvention, the controller 28 includes a first pointing processing unit(not shown) of the similar or the same configuration as that of thepointing processing unit 19 in the main computer 10.

Here, as an example, according to the second radio signal, the firstcontroller 28 grasps a display position of a pointer indicated on thefirst display unit 27.

In the meantime, the first controller 28 sets up at least one changeoverarea on the overall indication area of the first display unit 27, andsets up external device information for the main computer 10 and theexternal devices 30 and 40 in advance. Thus, the first controller 28determines whether the pointer points to a predetermined changeover areaof the first display unit 27 over a predetermined time. When it isdetermined that the pointer points to the predetermined changeover areaof the first display unit 27 over the predetermined time, the firstcontroller 28 provides preset external device information correspondingto the changeover area in which a pointer is indicated to the maincomputer 10 through the Bluetooth communication 2 b.

As shown in FIG. 4, the first controller 28 presets the first changeoverarea 4 a, the second changeover area 4 b and the third changeover area 4c on the overall indication area of the first display unit 27. The firstchangeover area 4 a is set up to correspond to the main computer 10, thesecond changeover area 4 b is set up to correspond to the secondexternal device 30, and the third changeover area 4 c is set up tocorrespond to the third external device 40. The first controller 28determines whether the pointer 17 a, according to the second radiosignal, points to any one changeover area over a designated time, andprovides external device information corresponding to the changeoverarea to which the pointer 17 a points for the predetermined time for themain computer 10 through the Bluetooth communication 2 b.

The second external device 30 is connected with the main computer 10,having undergone the initial recognition and installation processesthrough the Bluetooth communication 2 c. The second external device 30includes a second display unit 37, a second Bluetooth module 35, whichis a wireless communications module to interface with an externaldevice, and a second controller 38 to communicate with the externaldevice connected through the second Bluetooth module 35. Of course, thesecond Bluetooth module 35 includes a HID profile.

Where the second radio signal is input from the main computer 10 throughthe Bluetooth communication 2 c, the second external device 30 performsoperations in which a pointer of the second external device is moved, amenu screen is indicated, or a screen is changed on the screen of thesecond display unit 37 according to the second radio signal. Here,according to the second radio signal, the second controller 38 grasps adisplay position of a pointer indicated on the second display unit 37.

In the meantime, the second controller 38 sets up at least onechangeover area in the overall indication area of the second displayunit 37, and presets the external device information on the maincomputer 10 and the external devices 20 and 40. Thus, the secondcontroller 38 determines whether a pointer indicated according to thesecond radio signal points to a predetermined changeover area of thesecond display unit 37 for a predetermined time. When it is determinedthat the pointer points to a predetermined changeover area of the seconddisplay unit 37 for the predetermined time, the second controller 38provides the preset external device information corresponding to thechangeover area in which a pointer is indicated, to the main computer 10through the Bluetooth communication 2 c.

The third external device 40 is connected with the main computer 10after having undergone the initial recognition and installationprocesses through the Bluetooth communications 2 d. The third externaldevice 40 includes a third display unit 47, a third Bluetooth module 45,which is a wireless communications module to interface with an externaldevice, and a third controller 48 to communicate with the externaldevice connected through the third Bluetooth module 45. Of course, thethird Bluetooth module 45 includes a HID profile.

Where the second radio signal is input from the main computer 10 throughthe Bluetooth communications 2 d, the third external device 40 performsoperations that a pointer is moved, a menu screen is indicated, or ascreen is changed over, on the screen of the third display unit 47according to the second radio signal. Here, according to the secondradio signal, the third controller 48 grasps a display position of apointer in the process of processing the pointer in order to beindicated on the third display unit 47.

In the meantime, the third controller 48 sets up at least one changeoverarea in the overall indication area of the third display unit 47, andpresets the external device information on the main computer 10 and theexternal devices 20 and 30. Thus, the third controller 48 determineswhether the pointer, indicated according to the second radio signal,points to a predetermined changeover area of the third display unit 47for a predetermined time. When it is determined that the pointer pointsto the predetermined changeover area of the third display unit 47 forthe predetermined time, the third controller 48 provides the presetexternal device information corresponding to the changeover area inwhich a pointer is indicated to the main computer 10 through theBluetooth communication 2 d.

Thus, the external devices 20, 30, and 40 receive the second radiosignal having the same data information such as pointing information andclick information as that of the first radio signal provided from themouse 50 from the main computer 10. Further, the external devices 20,30, and 40 perform operations according to the received second radiosignal. That is, the external devices 20, 30, and 40 respond to themouse 50 as though they were communicating with the mouse 50 on aone-to-one basis, respectively.

That is, when an changeover event for using the mouse 50 in the externaldevices 20, 30, and 40 connected to the main computer 10 is inputthrough manipulation of the mouse 50 of a user, the computer system usesthe mouse 50 as an input to control the external devices 20, 30, and 40,using an HID profile 11 of the Bluetooth module 14.

Here, the MICOM 18 of the main computer 10 determines whether theexternal device information is input from the one of the externaldevices 20, 30, and 40 that receives the second radio signal. Where theexternal device information is input, the MICOM 18 controls theBluetooth module 14 to convert the first radio signal input from themouse 10 into the second radio signal to be processed in the externaldevice corresponding to the external device information. That is, forexample, when the external device information is input from the firstexternal device 20 while the main computer 10 provides the second radiosignal to the first external device 20, the MICOM 18 grasps the type ofthe external device corresponding to the changeover area to which thepointer points on the first display unit 27 of the external device 20for a predetermined time based on the external device information. Thus,when the corresponding external device is determined to be the secondexternal device 30 based on the inputted external device information,the MICOM 18 controls the controller 13 of the Bluetooth module 14, toconvert the first radio signal from the mouse 50 into the second radiosignal to be provided to the second external device 30. That is, when achangeover event for using the mouse 50 in external devices 20, 30, and40 connected to the main computer 10 is input through manipulation ofthe mouse 50 of a user, the mouse 50 may be used as an input to controlthe external devices 20, 30, and 40, using the HID profile 11 of theBluetooth module 14 under the control of the MICOM 18.

When the MICOM 18 determines that the corresponding external devicebased on the input external device information is the main computer 10itself, the MICOM 18 controls the Bluetooth module 14, the input/outputprocessing unit 15 and the video signal processing unit 16 to processthe first radio signal from the mouse 50 to control pointer movement,and to control a menu display according to the processed result. Thatis, when a changeover event using the mouse 50 in the main computer 10is input through a manipulation of the mouse 50, the first radio signalinput from the mouse 50 may be used as an input to control the maincomputer 10 under the control of the Bluetooth module 14 by the MICOM18.

With reference to FIGS. 5 through 7, a control flow between the mouse 50and one of the main computer 10 or any of the external devices 20, 30,and 40 through the Bluetooth communications 2 a, 2 b, 2 c, or 2 d and acontrol flow that changes the input of the mouse 50 will be described.

First, the mouse 50 is connected with the main computer 10 through theBluetooth communication 2 a by a performance of the conventionalrecognition and installation processes (S10). Also, additionalconventional recognition and installation processes are performed toconnect the main computer 10 with the external devices 20, 30, and 40,through the Bluetooth communications 2 b, 2 c, and 2 d, respectively(S20). The main computer 10 sets up at least one changeover area in theoverall indication area of the display unit 17 of the main computer 10,and presets the external device information on the external devices 20,30, and 40 which correspond to each changeover area while beingconnected through the Bluetooth communications 2 b, 2 c, and 2 d,respectively (S14). Moreover, each external device 20, 30, or 40 sets upat least one changeover area in the overall indication area of its owndisplay unit, and presets up the external device information for themain computer 10 and the other external devices corresponding to eachchangeover area (S16).

At the state that the mouse 50 is connected with one of the maincomputer 10 and the external devices 20, 30, and 40 through theBluetooth communications, a control flow changing over the input of themouse 50 will be described in detail in the computer system, referringto FIGS. 6 and 7.

First, the mouse 50 outputs a first radio signal according to amanipulation of a user (S20). The MICOM 18 controls the HID profile 11of the Bluetooth module 14 so that the first radio signal input from themouse 50 through the Bluetooth communication 2 a may be processed by thepointing processing unit 19 (S30). Thus, in order to perform a controlaction such as pointer movement and a menu display according to thefirst radio signal, the MICOM 18 controls the pointing processing unit19 (S32). Thus, according to the manipulation of the mouse 50, theindicated pointer moves, and a menu is indicated or a screen is changedon the display unit 17 of the main computer 10.

Here, the MICOM 18 sets the plurality of the changeover areas on thedisplay unit 17, and presets the external device information on externaldevices 20, 30, and 40 which correspond to each changeover area whilebeing connected through Bluetooth communications 2 b, 2 c, and 2 d,respectively. Also, the MICOM 18 determines whether the pointer pointsto one of the changeover areas (S34). Where the pointer points to one ofthe changeover areas, the MICOM 18 determines whether the pointer pointsto the first changeover area 4 a of the display unit 17 (S36).

When the pointer points to the first changeover area 4 a, the MICOM 18determines whether the pointer points to the first changeover area 4 afor the predetermined time (e.g., the five seconds) (S40). Where theMICOM 18 determines that the pointer points to the first changeover area4 a for the predetermined time, the MICOM 18 controls the Bluetoothmodule 14 to convert the first radio signal input from the mouse 5 intothe second radio signal to be provided to the first external device 20(S42). Thus, the second radio signal is output from the main computer 10to the first external device 20 (S44). The first external device 20processes the input second radio signal to be used in the first externaldevice 20, using the HID profile of the first Bluetooth module 25 (S46).Thus, the first external device 20 performs a control action such aspointer movement and a menu display (S48).

Where the pointer does not point to the first changeover area 4 a, inoperation S36, the MICOM 18 determines whether the pointer points to thesecond changeover area 4 b of the display unit 17 (S38). When thepointer points to the second changeover area 4 b, the MICOM 18determines whether the pointer points to the second changeover area 4 bfor the predetermined time (S50). Where the pointer points to the secondchangeover area 4 b for the predetermined time, the MICOM 18 controlsthe Bluetooth module 14 to convert the first radio signal into thesecond radio signal to be provided to the second external device 30(S52). Thus, the second radio signal is output from the main computer 10to the second external device 30 (S54). The second external device 30processes the input second radio signal to be used in the secondexternal device 30, using the HID profile of the second Bluetooth module35 (S56). Thus, the second external device 30 performs a control actionsuch as pointer movement and a menu display (S58).

Where the pointer does not point to the second changeover area 4 b, inoperation S38, the MICOM 18 determines whether the pointer points to thethird changeover area 4 c. When the pointer points to the thirdchangeover area 4 c, the MICOM 18 determines whether the pointer pointsto the third changeover area 4 c for the predetermined time (S60). Wherethe pointer is determined to point to the third changeover area 4 c forthe predetermined time, the MICOM 18 controls the Bluetooth module 14 inorder to convert the first radio signal input from the mouse 50 into thesecond radio signal to be provided to the third external device 40(S62). Thus, the second radio signal is output from the main computer 10to the third external device 40 (S64). The third external device 40 usesthe HID profile of the third Bluetooth module 45, and processes theinput second radio signal to be used in the third external device 40(S66). Thus, the third external device 40 performs a control action suchas pointer movement and a menu display (S68).

Thus, each external device 20, 30, or 40 may receive the second radiosignal having the same data information such as pointing and clickinginformation as that of the first radio signal provided from the mouse 50from the main computer 10 and perform operations according to the secondradio signal. That is, although an operation according to the secondradio signal provided from the main computer 10 is performed, theexternal devices 20, 30, and 40 are affected the same way as if theywere communicating directly with the mouse 50.

As an example, assuming a state in which an input of the mouse 50 isused to control the second external device 30, the first radio signalfrom the mouse 50 is transformed to the second radio signal through themain computer 10 and is provided to the second external device 30.

The second controller 35 of the second external device 30 sets up aplurality of changeover areas on the second display unit 37, and presetsthe external device information on the main computer 10 and the otherexternal devices 20 and 40. While the second external device 30 performsa control action such as pointer movement and a menu display accordingto the second radio signal by performing the above-described operationsS56 and S58 of FIG. 6, the second controller 38 determines whether thepointer, according to the second radio signal, points to one of thechangeover areas (S70). Where the pointer points to one of thechangeover areas, the second controller 38 determines the pointer pointsto the one changeover area for the predetermined time (S72). Where thepointer points to the one changeover area over the predetermined time,the second controller 38 outputs the preset external device informationcorresponding to the changeover area to the main computer 10 through theBluetooth communication 2 c (S74).

Thus, where that the external device information is input, the MICOM 18of the main computer 10 grasps the corresponding external device basedon the input external device information (S76). That is, the MICOM 18determines whether the corresponding external device based on the inputexternal device information is the main computer 10 (S80). Where thecorresponding external device is the main computer 10, the MICOM 18conducts operation S30 to process the first radio signal from the mouse50 and to perform a control action including pointer movement and a menudisplay according to the processed first radio signal. Here, in thedecision result of operation S80, the MICOM 18 determines whether thecorresponding external device is a first external device where theexternal device based on the external device information is not the maincomputer 10 (S90). Where the corresponding external device based on theexternal device information is the first external device 20, the MICOM18 conducts operation S42 to control the Bluetooth module 14 to convertthe first radio signal input from the mouse 10 into the second radiosignal to be processed in the first external device 20. Moreover, in theoperation S90 decision result, where the corresponding external devicebased on the external device information is the third external device40, the MICOM 18 conducts operation S62 to control the Bluetooth module14 to convert the first radio signal input from the mouse 10 into thesecond radio signal to be processed in the third external device 40.

As is described above, according to aspects of the present invention,when the mouse 50, which is the HID, is connected with the main computer10 through Bluetooth communication, and where several external devices20, 30, and 40 are connected with the main computer 10 through theBluetooth communications 2 a, 2 b, and 2 c, the input of the mouse 50may be used in the main computer 10 or one of the external devices 20,30, and 40 according to manipulation of the mouse 50. Therefore,according to aspects of the present invention, when a plurality ofdevices 10, 20, 30, and 40 are controlled using one mouse 50, thedesired devices can be conveniently changed over without having torepetitively perform the recognition and installation processes.

As described above, according to aspects of the present invention, thecomputer system and the control method which controls a plurality ofdevices with a single external input device without having torepetitively set up external input devices.

While there have been illustrated and described what are considered tobe example embodiments of the present invention, it will be understoodby those skilled in the art, and as technology develops, that variouschanges and modifications may be made, and equivalents may besubstituted for elements thereof without departing from the true scopeof the present invention. Many modifications, permutations, additionsand sub-combinations may be made to adapt the teachings of the presentinvention to a particular situation without departing from the scopethereof. Accordingly, it is intended, therefore, that the presentinvention not be limited to the various example embodiments disclosed,but that the present invention includes all embodiments falling withinthe scope of the appended claims.

1. A computer system comprising: a display unit having a display area; awireless communications module to interface with at least one externaldevice; a pointing processing unit to move a pointer indicated on thedisplay unit in accordance with a first radio signal input via thewireless communications module; and a controller arranged to control thewireless communications module to output a second radio signal, whichcorresponds to the first radio signal, to the external device, when thepointer points to a changeover area of the display area on the displayunit for a predetermined time.
 2. The computer system according to claim1, wherein the display unit, the wireless communications module, thepointing processing unit and the controller are provided in a hostcomputer.
 3. The computer system according to claim 2, furthercomprising an external input device to output the first radio signal tothe host computer.
 4. The computer system according to claim 1, whereinthe controller determines a display position of the pointer so as toanalyze whether the pointer points to the changeover area.
 5. Thecomputer system according to claim 4, wherein the controller associatesthe changeover area with the external device so as to control theexternal device when the pointer points to the changeover area for thepredetermined time.
 6. The computer system according to claim 5, whereinthe wireless communications module comprises a Bluetooth module having aHuman Interface Device (HID) profile.
 7. The computer system accordingto claim 6, wherein the controller controls the wireless communicationsmodule to convert data of the first radio signal into the second radiosignal corresponding to the changeover area, and to output the convertedresult to the external device, where the pointer points to thechangeover area for a predetermined time.
 8. The computer systemaccording to claim 7, wherein the wireless communications moduleconverts data of the first radio signal using the HID profile.
 9. Thecomputer system according to claim 8, further comprising a firstexternal device and at least one second external device, which interfacewith the host computer through the wireless communications module,respectively, each external device comprising a display unit.
 10. Thecomputer system according to claim 9, wherein the changeover areacomprises a first changeover area and at least one second changeoverarea, the controller setting the first changeover area to correspond tothe first external device and the second changeover area to correspondto the at least one second external device.
 11. The computer systemaccording to claim 10, wherein the first external device and the atleast one second external device each comprise displays on whichpointers point, wherein the first external device and the at least onesecond external device each cause pointers to move according to thesecond radio signal where the second radio signal is input from the hostcomputer, and each provide the preset external device informationcorresponding to the changeover area corresponding to the respectivedevice.
 12. The computer system according to claim 11, wherein thecontroller controls the wireless communications module to convert dataof the first radio signal into the second radio signal, which can beprocessed in the external device corresponding to the external deviceinformation, and to output the converted result, where the externaldevice information is input from one external device during theoutputting of the second radio signal through the wirelesscommunications module to any one of the first external device and the atleast one second external device.
 13. The computer system according toclaim 12, wherein the controller determines whether the external deviceinformation input from any of the external devices is information on thehost computer, and when the external device information is theinformation on the host computer, controls the wireless communicationsmodule and the pointing processing unit to cause the pointer of the hostcomputer to move in correspondence to the first radio signal.
 14. Thecomputer system according to claim 3, wherein the controller recognizesa position of the pointer on the display area.
 15. The computer systemaccording to claim 14, wherein the controller sets up at least onechangeover area in the display area, and presets external deviceinformation on an external device corresponding to each changeover area.16. The computer system according to claim 15, wherein the wirelesscommunications module comprises a Bluetooth module having a HumanInterface Device (HID) profile.
 17. The computer system according toclaim 16, wherein the controller controls the wireless communicationsmodule to convert data of the first radio signal into the second radiosignal corresponding to the changeover area, and to output the convertedresult to the external device, where the pointer points to thechangeover area of the external device for a predetermined time.
 18. Thecomputer system according to claim 17, wherein the wirelesscommunications module converts data of the first radio signal using theHID profile.
 19. The computer system according to claim 18, furthercomprising a first external device and at least one second externaldevice, which interface with the computer through the wirelesscommunications module, respectively, each external device comprising adisplay unit.
 20. The computer system according to claim 19, wherein thechangeover area comprises a first changeover area and at least onesecond changeover area, the controller setting the first changeover areato correspond to the first external device and the second changeoverarea to correspond to the at least one second external device.
 21. Thecomputer system according to claim 20, wherein the first external deviceand the at least one second external device each comprise displays onwhich pointers point, wherein the first external device and the at leastone second external device each cause pointers to move according to thesecond radio signal where the second radio signal is input from thecomputer, and each provide the preset external device informationcorresponding to the changeover area corresponding to the respectivedevice.
 22. The computer system according to claim 21, wherein thecontroller controls the wireless communications module to convert dataof the first radio signal into the second radio signal, which can beprocessed in the external device corresponding to the external deviceinformation, and to output the converted result, where the externaldevice information is input from one external device during theoutputting of the second radio signal through the wirelesscommunications module to any one of the first external device and the atleast one second external device.
 23. The computer system according toclaim 22, wherein the controller determines whether the external deviceinformation input from any of the external devices is information on thecomputer, and when the external device information is the information onthe computer, controls the wireless communications module and thepointing processing unit to cause the pointer of the computer to move incorrespondence to the first radio signal.
 24. A control method of acomputer system including a host computer and a wireless communicationsmodule to interface with at least one external device and an externalinput device, the control method comprising: causing the external inputdevice to output a first radio signal; causing a pointer indicated on adisplay area of the host computer move in correspondence to the firstradio signal; determining whether the pointer points to a changeoverarea, corresponding to the external device, on the display area for apredetermined time; and where the pointer points to the changeover areafor the predetermined time, causing the host computer to output a secondradio signal corresponding to the first radio signal to the externaldevice.
 25. The control method of a computer system according to claim24, further comprising setting up the changeover area to correspond tothe external device.
 26. The control method of a computer systemaccording to claim 25, wherein the outputting of the second radio signalcomprises: converting data of the first radio signal into the secondradio signal; and outputting the converted result to the externaldevice.
 27. The control method of a computer system according to claim26, further comprising setting up a first external device and at leastone second external device to interface with the computer through thewireless communications module, each external device comprising adisplay unit.
 28. The control method of a computer system according toclaim 27, wherein the causing of the computer to preset the externaldevice information comprises setting up a first changeover area on thedisplay area to correspond to the first external device and a secondchangeover area on the display area to correspond to the at least onesecond external device.
 29. The control method of a computer systemaccording to claim 28, wherein the first external device and the atleast one second external device each: determine whether the secondradio signal is input; cause the pointer indicated on the display areasof the respective display units to move according to the second radiosignal; and provide the preset external device information correspondingto the changeover area to the computer.
 30. The control method of acomputer system according to claim 29, wherein the computer determineswhether the external device information is input; and converts data ofthe first radio signal into the second radio signal.
 31. The controlmethod of a computer system according to claim 30, wherein the computercauses the pointer indicated on the display area of the computer to movein correspondence to the first radio signal input.
 32. A systemincluding a main computer having a display unit to display a firstdisplay area, an input device wirelessly connected to the main computerto control a pointer displayed on the first display area via a firstsignal, and an external device having a display unit to display a seconddisplay area, wirelessly connected to the main computer, in which themain computer presets a changeover area on the first display area suchthat, when the input device controls the pointer to point to thechangeover area for a predetermined time, the main computer converts thefirst signal into a second signal to be recognized by the externaldevice such that the input device then controls a pointer displayed onthe second display area.
 33. The system according to claim 32, furthercomprising a second external device wirelessly connected to the maincomputer having a display unit to display a third display area.
 34. Thesystem according to claim 33, wherein the main computer presets a secondchangeover area of the first display area such that, when the inputdevice controls the pointer to point to the second changeover area forthe predetermined time, the main computer converts the first signal intoa third signal to be recognized by the second external device such thatthe input device then controls a pointer displayed on the third displayarea.
 35. The system according to claim 34, wherein the external deviceand the second external device each comprise computers to respectivelypreset third and fourth changeover areas on the respective display areassuch that: when the input device controls the pointer displayed on thesecond display area, and when the pointer points to the third changeoverarea, the main computer converts the second signal into the thirdsignal, and when the input device controls the pointer displayed on thethird display area, and when the pointer points to the fourth changeoverarea, the main computer converts the third signal into the secondsignal.